Thermal stimulation of the oral mucosa and nasal airway resistance.

A procedure for measuring nasal airway resistance using posterior rhinorheometry is described. Baseline nasal airway resistances +/- 1 S.D. at an airflow of 0.5 L/sec were found to be 1.077 +/- 0.683 cm H2O for inhalation and 1.359 +/- 0.792 cm H2O for exhalation. Application of either cold water (4 to 6 C) or warm water (44 to 52 C) to the oral mucosa significantly increased nasal airway resistance. Application of tepid water (26 to 28 C) did not alter nasal airway resistance significantly.